Alpha Phi Alpha's "Stroll Off" brings local greeks together
By: Elaine Wiley
Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News
In front of a packed Thompson Recital Hall Saturday, sophomore Shady Luna stood onstage beside sophomore Citlaly Serrano Barron, her fellow pledge in DePauw's chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority. When Luna's time came, she stepped forward and sang a part of "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem.
Luna wasn't simply performing for fun, but was participating in her probate, an opportunity in which fraternities and sororities of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and National Pan-Hellenic Council present their newly initiated members.
Saturday's probate opened Alpha Phi Alpha fratnerity's third annual "Stroll Off."
Luna said she was very nervous, but impressed with the performance.
"It was a long road," she said. "We practiced and practiced and practiced. Honestly, it didn't come together until we were up onstage."
The DePauw chapter of Omega Phi Beta sorority also presented its four new members at the stroll off. Chapter president Stephanie Rivera, a senior, said members from the Chicago and the University of Illinois chapters came to support the new DePauw initiates.
After the probates, the stepping competition began. The competition was open to all chapters of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and National Pan-Hellenic Council across the state of Indiana. Members of Illinois chapters were present at the event but could not compete.
Junior Patrick Springer, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, helped organize the competition. DePauw's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha did not compete, but other chapters of the fraternity from across the state participated.
Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Omega Phi Beta sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority and two chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity participated in the stepping competition, which was broken into three rounds of strolls: "crunk," a fusion of fighting and dancing; "sexy," a routine done to slower music; and "special," a category in which chapters could choose a style.
The Indianapolis chapter of Delta Sigma Theta won the competition. The winner was determined by applause, with winning members receiving a $100 Visa gift card.
Raynesha Rogers, a senior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, competed on the winning team. This is her first year as a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
"This was our first year at the stroll off. We wanted to see what it was like and how we would do," she said. "We worked really hard, especially because we were competing against boys."
Although probates do not take place every year, generally, Springer said he sees the stroll off as an opportunity to unite chapters throughout Indiana and Illinois.
"We've always opened (the stroll off) up to chapters across the state," he said. "It really promotes greek unity. We all come out to support each other."
Luna wasn't simply performing for fun, but was participating in her probate, an opportunity in which fraternities and sororities of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and National Pan-Hellenic Council present their newly initiated members.
Saturday's probate opened Alpha Phi Alpha fratnerity's third annual "Stroll Off."
Luna said she was very nervous, but impressed with the performance.
"It was a long road," she said. "We practiced and practiced and practiced. Honestly, it didn't come together until we were up onstage."
The DePauw chapter of Omega Phi Beta sorority also presented its four new members at the stroll off. Chapter president Stephanie Rivera, a senior, said members from the Chicago and the University of Illinois chapters came to support the new DePauw initiates.
After the probates, the stepping competition began. The competition was open to all chapters of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and National Pan-Hellenic Council across the state of Indiana. Members of Illinois chapters were present at the event but could not compete.
Junior Patrick Springer, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, helped organize the competition. DePauw's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha did not compete, but other chapters of the fraternity from across the state participated.
Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Omega Phi Beta sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority and two chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity participated in the stepping competition, which was broken into three rounds of strolls: "crunk," a fusion of fighting and dancing; "sexy," a routine done to slower music; and "special," a category in which chapters could choose a style.
The Indianapolis chapter of Delta Sigma Theta won the competition. The winner was determined by applause, with winning members receiving a $100 Visa gift card.
Raynesha Rogers, a senior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, competed on the winning team. This is her first year as a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
"This was our first year at the stroll off. We wanted to see what it was like and how we would do," she said. "We worked really hard, especially because we were competing against boys."
Although probates do not take place every year, generally, Springer said he sees the stroll off as an opportunity to unite chapters throughout Indiana and Illinois.
"We've always opened (the stroll off) up to chapters across the state," he said. "It really promotes greek unity. We all come out to support each other."
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